Coin Ceremony and Keel Laying for Celebrity Beyond
19 November 2020
A Celebrity Beyond construction milestone ahead of her spring 2022 delivery.
Following maritime tradition, the coin ceremony and keel laying of the third ship in Celebrity Cruises’ Edge series, Celebrity Beyond, took place at Chantiers de l'Atlantique. The keel laying and coin ceremony mark the first stage of major construction for a vessel.
Keel laying for Celebrity Beyond in the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard. Image;: Celebrity Cruises
The event in Saint-Nazaire, France was attended by Tobias King, Project Manager for Celebrity Cruises; and Sébastien Le Boulluec, Project Manager, Edge Series at Chantiers de l'Atlantique. Both had the honor of placing the ceremonial coin, which is welded into the hull during construction as a symbol of good luck.
The coin used in the Celebrity Beyond coin ceremony bears the image of Annie Jump Cannon - the daughter of an American shipbuilder, a suffragist and a pinoneering astronomer. Image: Celebrity Cruises
The coin chosen for Celebrity’s third innovative Edge Class vessel, pays tribute to suffragist, pioneering astronomer and daughter of an American shipbuilder, Annie Jump Cannon (1863-1941). is cedited with the development of contemporary stellar classification.
Tobias King, Celebrity Cruises’ Edge Series Project Manager, and Sébastien Le Boulluec, Chantiers de l’Atlantique’s Edge Series Project Manager, hold the ceremonial “good fortune” coin for Celebrity Beyond as the ship’s keel is laid. Image: Celebrity Cruises
"In a year that has continuously tested the strength of our industry, it is encouraging that we move forward with building Celebrity Beyond," explained Richard Fain, Royal Caribbean Group chairman. "Celebrity Beyond signals that as we prepare to return to service, we do so confidently and with great optimism about the future."
"This is a proud and exciting moment because Celebrity Beyond will continue to elevate an already incredibly innovative and transformative Series of ships for our brand -- and the industry," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises. "I thank all of my amazing colleagues and our incredible partners at the shipyard for moving us one step closer to bringing Celebrity Beyond to life. We have some special surprises planned with Celebrity Beyond and I really can’t wait to share her with the world."
Celebrity Beyond is the third vessel in Celebrity's Edge Class that debuted in 2018 with Celebrity Edge and sister ship, Celebrity Apex which was launched this year (2020).